The New England Patriots lost their starting left tackle Trent Brown to the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency and needed to find a replacement for the 2024 season. The Patriots indirectly addressed the position by signing Chukwuma Okorafor, who played at LT in his final two seasons at Western Michigan, converted to RT for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and played six seasons there. They also drafted an RT from the Big 10.
The New England Patriots drafted a right tackle from the Big 10
The Patriots selected Caedan Wallace 68th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Wallace exclusively played at RT and started 40 games in his five seasons with Penn State. They selected him with the intention of converting him to LT and having him compete for the starting spot.
So far, it appears that he is out of the running.
Caedan Wallace appears to be out of the running for a crucial starting spot
According to Pro Football Rumors, Wallace appears out of the running for the starting LT spot for now. After receiving some reps at LT during OTAs, Wallace strictly played at RT throughout mandatory minicamp, while Michael Onwenu played at RG.
Part of the reason why Wallace got reps at RT could be due to Cole Strange’s injury. Strange is recovering from a torn patellar tendon he suffered in Week 15 and could miss the first half of the 2024 season. As a result, Sidy Sow, who played most of his snaps at RG as a rookie, moved over to LG, Onwenu switched from RT to RG, and Wallace switched to RT.
Who received reps at left tackle?
Chukwuma Okorafor received first-team reps at LT throughout OTAs and mandatory minicamp. Vederian Lowe also received reps at the respective position. Unlike Okorafor, Lowe has starting experience at left tackle in the NFL, starting four of eight games for the Patriots on the left side in 2023.
Other players who are in the running for the starting spot include Calvin Anderson and Tyrone Wheatley Jr. Anderson, a six-year veteran with 14 starts, has logged over 600 snaps at LT and 200 at RT. Wheatley, a five-year veteran, has only played five special teams snaps.
Training camp hasn’t started
Training camp, by far, is more important than voluntary OTAs and mandatory minicamp. Caedan Wallace getting all his reps exclusively at RT throughout minicamp doesn’t mean he is out of the running for the LT job. Things will look different when players put the pads on. Remember, starting spots are won during training camp and preseason, not OTAs and minicamp.
Don’t forget that the Patriots have plenty of cap space to sign a veteran left tackle. Notable LTs who are free agents include David Bakhtiari, Charles Leno Jr., D.J. Humphries, and Donovan Smith.
Who will start at left tackle for the Patriots this season?
